Not surprisingly, OMNI groups were soon established throughout the Riverina in Griffith, Hilston, Holbrook, Leeton, Temora, and Tumbarumba, as well as three additional groups in Wagga. 

The story of OMNI was taken by the Wagga OMNI members to Melbourne, where two groups were established and now 25 are registered.

OMNI provides an environment in which men can overcome their sense of loneliness, develop a purpose in life and where familiarity, mateship and trust develop and are fostered. 

Men learn to listen and to also express their thoughts in a confidential setting. These are the “New Ideas” of OMNI.  

No other men’s group is founded on the tenets of  safety in sharing, confidentiality, mutual assistance and caring.

The Daily Advertiser reported (September 7) that “the  Riverina has the highest suicide rate of elderly men aged over 85”. This is a challenge that OMNI groups address.

People power appears to be behind the realisation that minor parties and independents are capable of breaking the 117-year Australian political duopoly.

I am a part of a group stretching from Western Australia which has not quite reached Lord Howe Island. There is acceptance and evidence of thuggery during election campaigns. There is no evidence of any of that in country regions. There is acceptance of procedures, which give anyone except the major parties only a remote chance of ever winning a seat.

In my case, I have 35 policies which I would like to debate with a member. My wish is to have a detailed discussion and preferably a debate. Obviously there should be agreed prior time plans for the National candidate and I to be in Griffith and at least 10 other places at the same time.

For Griffith at this meeting I would like at least reasonable interaction with the National candidate in relation to my claim for free speech, my policy to remove the barrages at the Lower Lakes and the aim of everyone in Griffith to know what value will be involved with a new hospital.

All the political instability, protests, shootings, thefts and murders happening throughout the world makes us think that the world is a dangerous place compared to when our parents and grandparents were growing up. 

But the truth is just the opposite – the world has never been a safer place. Anyone can see on global statistics that the world is increasingly becoming a safer place, so why does it seem the opposite? The biggest thing to come between our parents’ time and our time is the internet. 

Back in the day, if a car bomb exploded in Syria, our parents wouldn't hear about it until weeks later, if at all. Now if a car bomb exploded in Syria, we would hear about it within a few hours of it happening. Sharing information has never been easier.

Is this a good thing though? I for one could do without hearing bad news every morning when drinking my coffee. What do you think?